Pressure actuated valve with improved slit configuration

Abstract

A valve apparatus for medical applications, comprises a flexible member extending across a lumen through which a flow of materials is to be controlled. The flexible member includes a plurality of movable elements formed on opposite sides of a slit extending through the flexible member. The moveable members are biased so that when a pressure less than a predetermined threshold value is applied to the flexible member, the moveable elements are maintained in a closed position in which no flow is permitted past the flexible member and, when a pressure at least as great as the threshold value is applied to the flexible member, the moveable elements are moved to an open position separated from one another along the slit permitting flow through the lumen.

1. A valve apparatus for dialysis applications, comprising a first flexible disk extending across a first lumen through which a flow of materials is to be controlled, the first flexible disk including a plurality of first movable elements formed on opposite sides of at least one first slit extending through the first flexible disk, wherein a size and configuration of the first slit is selected to provide desired opening and closing characteristics of the moveable elements, the first moveable element being biased so that, when a pressure less than a predetermined threshold value is applied to the first flexible disk, the first moveable elements are maintained in a closed position in which no flow is permitted past the first flexible disk and, when a pressure at least as great as the threshold value is applied to a planar face of the first flexible disk, the first moveable elements are moved to an open position separated from one another along the at least one first slit permitting flow through the first lumen, the first flexible disk further comprising at least one biasing member coupled thereto adjacent the first slit to increase a biasing force urging the first movable elements toward the closed position, the apparatus further comprising a second lumen with a second flexible disk extending there across, the second flexible disk including a plurality of second movable elements formed on opposite sides of at least one second slit extending through the second flexible disk, the second moveable members being biased so that, when a pressure less than a predetermined threshold value is applied to the second flexible disk, the second moveable elements are maintained in a closed position in which no flow is permitted past the second flexible disk and,
 when a pressure at least as great as the threshold value is applied to the second flexible disk, the second moveable elements are moved to an open position separated from one another along the at least one second slit permitting flow through the second lumen. 
 
     
     
       2. The valve apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first movable elements are biased toward the closed position by the resilience of the material of the first flexible disk. 
     
     
       3. The valve apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one first slit is substantially linear. 
     
     
       4. The valve apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the substantially linear first slit is substantially parallel to a major axis of the first flexible disk. 
     
     
       5. The valve apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the first flexible disk further includes a pair of additional slits, each of the additional slits intersecting a corresponding end of the first slit. 
     
     
       6. The valve apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first housing coupled to a catheter which, when in an operative position, extends into a patient's body to facilitate fluid exchange, the first housing being selectively coupleable to a first external line for fluid transfer between the patient and external devices, wherein the first lumen extends through the first housing. 
     
     
       7. The valve apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising a second housing coupled to the catheter, wherein the first lumen extends through the catheter and wherein the second lumen extends through the second housing and the catheter, the second housing being selectively coupleable to a second external line for fluid transfer between the patient and external devices, and wherein the second flexible disk is within the second housing. 
     
     
       8. The valve apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the first housing is integrally formed with the catheter. 
     
     
       9. The valve apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the catheter includes a tissue penetrating distal end for insertion into a lumen of a vascular organ of the patient and wherein the first flexible disk is constructed so that naturally occurring pressures applied thereto by the patient's vascular system are below the threshold value and a pressure applied to the first flexible disk by an external pump is above the threshold value. 
     
     
       10. The valve apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the lumen is a lumen of a dialysis catheter and wherein the threshold value is set so that movable elements move to the open position in response to pressure generated by a dialysis pump connected to the first housing. 
     
     
       11. The valve apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one biasing member is positioned substantially parallel to the first slit. 
     
     
       12. The valve apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first flexible disk is formed of silicone. 
     
     
       13. The valve apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first flexible disk is permanently sealed around an entire perimeter of the first lumen. 
     
     
       14. A dialysis connector comprising:
 a valve housing having a first end connectable to a patient line and a second end mounted to a dialysis line; 
 a flow passage of the housing being connected to the patient line and being operatively connectable to the dialysis line; 
 a valve element mounted within the flow passage of the housing, the valve element including a flexible disk extending across the flow passage, the flexible disk including a plurality of movable elements formed on opposite sides of a first slit extending through the flexible disk, wherein a size and configuration of the first slit is selected to provide desired opening and closing characteristics of the moveable elements, the moveable members being biased so that, when a pressure less than a predetermined threshold value is applied to a planar face of the flexible disk, the moveable elements are maintained in a closed position in which no flow is permitted past the flexible disk and, when a pressure at least as great as the threshold value is applied to the flexible disk, the moveable elements are moved to an open position separated from one another along the first slit permitting flow through the flow passage, the valve element further comprising biasing elements coupled to the flexible disk adjacent to the first slit to urge the moveable elements toward the closed position. 
 
     
     
       15. The connector according to  claim 14 , wherein the first slit is substantially linear and is disposed substantially centrally on the flexible member. 
     
     
       16. The connector according to  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of second slits disposed at end points of the first slit. 
     
     
       17. The connector according to  claim 16 , wherein the second slits are substantially perpendicular to the linear slit. 
     
     
       18. The connector according to  claim 16 , wherein each of the second slits extends at an angle to the first slit. 
     
     
       19. The connector according to  claim 14 , wherein the first slit comprises a pair of substantially parallel linear slits. 
     
     
       20. The connector according to  claim 14 , wherein the movable elements are unconstrained along the first slit. 
     
     
       21. The connector according to  claim 14 , wherein a first one of the biasing elements is parallel to the first slit and a second one of the biasing elements is perpendicular to the first slit. 
     
     
       22. A flow shutoff device for dialysis applications, comprising:
 a housing attachable to a patient line; and 
 a pressure actuated valve mounted within the housing to selectively restrict flow therethrough, the valve comprising a flexible disk including a plurality of movable elements separated by a slit extending through the disk, wherein a size and configuration of the slit is selected to provide desired opening and closing characteristics of the moveable elements, the movable elements being biased toward a closed position and being movable to an open position when a pressure applied to a planar face of the valve exceeds a predetermined threshold value, wherein flow through the housing is prevented when the movable elements are in the closed position, the pressure actuated valve further comprising at least one biasing member coupled thereto to increase a biasing force urging the movable elements toward the closed position.